Editing Meryta sinclairii (section)

{{Short description|Species of tree endemic to New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Merytasinclairiitrees.jpg
|image_caption = ''Meryta sinclairii'' in Manukau City
|status = VU
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=de Lange, P. |date=2014 |title=''Meryta sinclairii'' |volume=2014 |page=e.T34300A62741816 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-2.RLTS.T34300A62741816.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref>
|genus = Meryta
|species = sinclairii
|authority = ([[Joseph Dalton Hooker|Hook.f.]]) [[Berthold Carl Seemann|Seem.]]
}}

'''''Meryta sinclairii''''', commonly known as the '''puka''' or '''pukanui''', is a large-leaved [[evergreen]] tree [[endemic]] to New Zealand that grows to about {{convert|8|m|abbr=off}} tall, with the distinctly tropical appearance typical of the genus. There are about 27 species of ''[[Meryta]]'', all small, resinous trees of the subtropical and tropical Pacific Ocean.<ref>''Flora of New Zealand'', URL: [http://floraseries.landcareresearch.co.nz/pages/Taxon.aspx?id=_281f1bf5-b21e-4dd9-9918-166c4965f2e0&fileName=Flora%201.xml ''Meryta'']. Retrieved 2 June 2010</ref>

Puka occurs naturally on the [[Three Kings Islands]] (c. 34°S, 172°W) and the [[Hen and Chickens Islands]] (c. 36°S, 175°W) where it occurs in greater abundance in the relatively sheltered valleys, where soils are thick and conditions are relatively moist, rather than on the exposed ridge-tops. However, puka can also grow on cliffs with shallow, stony soils which suggests some tolerance of drought.<ref>Kelliher et al., 2000, Salmon 1999</ref>